MONKEY MAN: IMPATIENCE, THE MONKEY THAT ALMOST BECAME HUMAN

 

IMPATIENCE

THE MONKEY THAT ALMOST BECAME HUMAN

Patience is the virtue of an ass that trots beneath his burden, and is quiet.

The Monkey-Man of Delhi was an unknown anomaly which was reported to be roaming Delhi in mid-2001. The entire incident has been described as an example of mass hysteria in India.

Mass hysteria refers to an outbreak of unusual and uncharacteristic behaviors, thoughts and feelings, or health symptoms shared among a group of people. People affected by mass hysteria typically believe something specific has triggered their symptoms.

In May 2001, reports circulated in New Delhi, India concerning a monkey-like creature that attacked people at night. Eyewitness accounts were often inconsistent, but usually described the creature as about four feet tall, covered in thick black hair, with a metal helmet, metal claws, glowing red eyes and three buttons on its chest. Over 350 sightings were reported, as well as around 60 resulting in injuries.

Two people reportedly died when they fell from the tops of buildings or down stairwells in a panic caused when they thought they were under attack.

The appearance of Monkey Man who was neither man or monkey completely in Old Delhi has been the subject of Hindi movies.

It was not sure whether the Delhi Monkey Man was Truth or Myth.

Away from the Indian Monkey Man.

Come back to our own folklore, the many stories shared by our people including tales, myths, legends, proverbs, poems, jokes, and other oral traditions. The kind grandmothers told children by moonlight.

One is the story of a monkey who wanted to become human.

The monkey watched humans pass by every day on their way to the farm, the market or even their maidens going to the stream with pots balanced fancifully on their heads.

He was filled with envy. He wished his race was like them.

He spent his nights dreaming of wearing clothes like the humans. His days were spent hiding away watching men, women and children doing different things.

Later envy turned to jealousy.

One day a genie came down from heaven. You remember those ones that tell you to make a wish.

(Never seen one but I have read too many Ali Baba stories)

So the monkey approached the “Alijannu” and begged him to come to the aid of his race.

He was asked to make a wish; just one wish.

The monkey said he wanted to become human. The heavenly being granted his wish, but with a proviso.

The process is going to take seven days. He was given seven vials of a balm to rub on his body daily, early in the morning.

Monkey went home with the balm. He did as he was told and by the fourth day his fur was almost gone.

He was no more crawling on all fours.

The monkey was so excited he could hardly sleep.

He kept imagining what he would do to and with those humans he had always envied.

The sixth day was a market day. The metamorphosis was almost complete.

The monkey couldn’t wait. He went out into the market and wanted to do what humans do. People in the market tried to drive the animal away. He resisted and they mobilized men and youth who chased him away with sticks.

He rushed back to his hideout to use the last vial of the balm given him.

In his rush he kicked the vial and the balm spilled. He sat on the spilled balm and rubbed his butts on it.

The fur on his butts was removed but not the one on his body.

He cried his hearts out. He should have waited till the seventh day.

Impatience prevented the monkey from becoming human.

There is so much to learn from the Monkey.

When aspiring for a position or a height in life, it is advisable to be patient and wait for victory before getting carried away.

I once watched a football team, after having a comfortable lead, rested the best men only to lose the game a on the long run.

Patience and diligence stand a man in good stead in all endeavors. Without your hand on the hilt of the sword, you never ask who or what killed your forebears.

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. To lose patience is to lose the battle. Patience attracts happiness; it brings near that which is far. Learning patience can be a difficult experience, but once conquered, you will find life is easier.

A wise man does not try to hurry fate. Many wars have been avoided by patience, and many have been precipitated by reckless haste. From marriage, politics, governance to business, patience is the first rule of success.

Patience is the virtue of an ass that trots beneath his burden, and is quiet.